James Mousalimas has been selected to become the next Deputy Superintendent of Student Programs and Services for the San Joaquin County Office of Education beginning in March 2013.

Mousalimas formerly served as Assistant Superintendent of County Operated Schools and Programs (COSP) at SJCOE. Prior to receiving this position, Mousalimas served as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources with Tracy Unified School District. However, his teaching career began as a Peace Corps Volunteer High School teacher in Niger, West Africa. Following this experience he taught math in Richmond Unified School District for two years. For the next eight years, Mousalimas was a teacher, assistant principal, and eventually the principal of an American International School in Saudi Arabia. He returned to the United States in 1998 and served as Coordinator of Year-Round Education followed by becoming the Director of Alternative Programs for Tracy Unified School District in 2001.

During his time as Coordinator of Year-Round Education and Director of Alternative Programs, Mousalimas supervised and directed district-wide Intervention Programs, Regional Occupational Programs, School-to-Career, Summer School, Intersession, Year-Round Education, Charter Schools, and Adult School.

Mousalimas received his Administrative Services Credential from California State University, Stanislaus. Preceding this venture, he earned his Bachelor’s of Arts in Economics from University of California, Berkeley and then, gained his Masters of Education in Administration from the College of New Jersey.

“I have had a rewarding four plus years as the Assistant Superintendent of County Operated Schools and Programs (COSP), working with an outstanding staff to serve students throughout San Joaquin County,” said Mousalimas. “I have been amazed and inspired each day by the wonderful work our staff does with the most disadvantaged children in the County.  I am looking forward to new opportunities as the Deputy Superintendent, but know that it will be quite a challenge to try to fill Dr. Dei Rossi’s “shoes”.  I know COSP will be in good hands under the direction of Janine Cuaresma and I will work closely with Superintendent (Mick) Founts and COSP to ensure a smooth transition for both departments.”